Q had a work conference in Vegas earlier this week, so he asked if the girls and I wanted to tag along. We did, and the four of us headed out Saturday morning. After several hours spent at the pool, we visited the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area — which features colorful and interesting rock formations and a gorgeous 13-mile scenic drive. The weather was nice (read: cool) enough that we could hike around a bit, and Zoe in particular was excited to fill out a workbook about the area and get another Junior Ranger pin.

-M

The girls have been on a big cooking-show kick as of late. Zoe loves “Chopped”, and we’ve been enjoying Halloween-themed ones, like “Halloween Baking Championship”, all month. While watching the latter show last night, one of the contestants erroneously put egg yolks instead of whites in her batter. When I commented that the baker had made a mistake and used the wrong part of the egg, Avery made me smile by asking, “Oh — did she put in the shells?”

-M

During days off, the girls I like visiting – and walking up and down – a colorful set of stairs in an adjacent neighborhood. Here’s a photo of our stop there earlier this week.

-M

More photos from yesterday’s pumpkin patch visit, including one with some friends we met there. And if the spot looks familiar, it’s because we went to the same patch (also on no-school days) last year, the year before and three years ago, too! The only difference is the girls no longer can fit in the hay maze together…

-M

The girls have had off school for the last two days. Q is out of town and I’ve had to work, but they’re at the age (yea!) where they can entertain themselves when Q or I are busy. They spent their time playing games and doing tons of Halloween crafts (which Zoe would find online and instruct her sister), and we had a few get-aways, too, including one today to our local pumpkin patch.

-M

Last weekend the four of us volunteered at the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, where we helped sort 5K pounds of donated food and package 2K pounds of pinto beans. It was such a meaningful, and enjoyable, experience that I suggested to the girls that we do it several times (instead of just once) a year. “How about every month?” Zoe asked.

-M

I usually have a bunch of questions for the girls when I pick them up from school; the amount of information I get back largely varies (based on their mood). One afternoon Zoe was clearly not up for being chatty, telling me, “You know how you sometimes feel really tired after work, Mommy? Well, that’s how it is for us – and when you ask us lots of questions it gets a little bit annoying.” She then paused and added: “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings.” (She didn’t.)

-M

Avery’s teachers recently shared this photo of Avery and a classmate in action. I can’t get over how much fun they appear to be having…

-M

The girls had off school for two days for Rosh Hashanah last week, and on one of the days we trekked down to Half Moon Bay (again!). But instead of visiting the pumpkin patches we hit up the downtown area and hung out at a little restaurant with a fun outdoor seating area and garden. It was the perfect place to spend some family time together.

-M

As part of a unit on tzedekah (charity), the fourth graders at Zoe’s school did a clean-up at nearby Lake Merced one day last week. Here are a few pics from their sunny afternoon trip.

-M

The girls jumped on this little see-saw when we were out and about last weekend. I love that — despite their growing bodies and minds — they’re still little at heart.

-M

In typical fashion, Avery spent a good chunk of time examining the flowers (dandelions, really) at the pumpkin patch on Saturday. And while looking, she spotted – and began to follow around – a little butterfly who flew from flower to flower.  The name she chose for her little friend (whom she was sad about leaving)? Dandelion.

-M

Before we hit the pumpkin patches on Saturday, we visited OSH (a California chain of nice hardware stores) for a kids event. The girls used screws, bolts, and keys to decorate little pumpkins, and the final products (which remind me a bit of Mickey Mouse) look very much alike. When the cashier complimented the girls and asked if they had planned for their pumpkins to look so similar (they didn’t, really), Zoe answered, “I guess we just like the same things.”

-M

The first of October meant a trip down to Half Moon Bay, where we take a pre-Halloween visit (or two or three) every year. With Zoe’s 10th(!) birthday fast approaching, I couldn’t help but think back to our very first trip to the pumpkin patches with her… Glad she still likes it!

-M

Today marks the start of one of our favorite months, and we’re already feeling excited for all the pumpkin-themed events and activities in store for us…

-M